China’s Lotus Building (Pics)

The Lotus Building is a remarkable public building in China with a striking design inspired by a blooming lotus flower.

The building is surrounded by steel “petal ribs” that evoke three stages of a lotus flower, from bud to fully-opened bloom. Inside the structure features cathedral-like ceilings, conference rooms, exhibition halls, and offices.

A system of geothermal piles uses the surrounding lake to regulate the building’s temperature with minimal energy use. And a lighting system illuminates the building in multicolored lights at night for a most dramatic effect.

The Lotus Building is located in the center of the Wujin District in the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu. It was designed by Australian architecture firm studio505 and completed in 2013.